Machine



SEWING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet Original Filed June 16, 1924 zjwvento'o Aug. 27, 192.9. J. A. MULLIGAN SEWING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet Original Filed June 16, 1924 J. A. MULLIGAN SEWING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet Original Filed June 16, 1924 bN mm um v Km I! z 0 ll RN MN Aug. 27, 1929. J. A. MULLIGAN SEWING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet Original Filed June l6, 1924 PoSl/l'arr gwuenioc M 1 amm 5 z 4 n m J J 8 o 4 w w 6 J Pas/Won 2 Pas/1900 6 and 4' Patented Aug. 27, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES A. MULLIGAN, OF IPADUCAH, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR TO SOUTHERN TEXTILE MACHINERY COMPANY, OF PADUCAH, KENTUCKY, A CORPORATION OF KENTUCKY.

SEWING MACHINE.

Continuation of application Serial No. 117,049, filed June 19, 1,926, which is a division of application Serial N'c. 720,392, filed June 16, 1924. This application filed July 6, 1927.

This invention relates to improvements in sewing machines, the present embodiment of the invention relating more particularly to that type or class of sewing machines commonly known as dial loopers, being particularly designed and adapted for joining the adjacent loops of two portions of knitted fabric by an elastic chain of stitches.

The present improvements are particularly designed and adapted for use in connection with machines of this class in which a con tinuously and uniformly revolving movement is imparted to the ring of impaling pins, as exemplified in Davis Patents Nos. 1,050,- 432 and 1,050,433, of January 14, 1913; in the l/Vright Patent No. 1,092,885, of April 14, 1914 and in the application of W. P. Paxton, et al Serial No. 720,392, filed June 16, 1924, on behalf of applicants assignee.

In said application, there is disclosed a machine possessing several features which are believed to be novel, such features consisting in an improved mechanism for carrying the thread needle laterally while being reciprocated in the loops to be united on the impaling pins; an improved type of work holder; and an improved arrangement for adjusting the thread needle with respect to the grooves of the impaling pins. The subject matter of the claims of the present case, however, is limited to the last feature of adjusting the thread needle relatively to the impaling pins.

VVith the above mentioned and other ends in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts, hereinafter described, illustrated in some of its embodiments in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, forming a part of this specification,

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a sewing machine of the dial looper type constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 a side elevation, partly in central vertical section through the dial and dial support;

Serial No. 203,779.

of the work-holder when the needle is in the work and for imparting a step over movement laterally to the same at the end of the working stroke whereby the point of the thread needle will be caused to enter and traverse the base portions of the successive impaling pins;

Fig. 4 an enlarged transverse or cross sectional view of the thread needle adjusting mechanism, taken on line H of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 an enlarged cross sectional view, taken on line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 an enlarged cross or transverse sectional. view, taken on line 6-6 of Fig. l;

- Fig. 7 an enlarged vertical transverse cross sectional view, taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 a similar view showing a modified form of work-holder or dial ring;

Fig. 9 an enlarged top plan view of one of the removably mounted dial ring sections 01' segments, detached;

F 10 a cross sectional view, taken on line 10-l0 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 a cross sectional view of a suitable stand or support carrying one of the removable ring sections or segments in convenient position for receiving the adjacent edges or loops of fabric to be united and preparatory to placing the section with the work to be sewed in the guide of the support or head of a ma chine;

Fig. 12 a top plan view of the adjustable rmg segment carrying head;

Fig. 13 an elevation of the improved holdor head and stand;

Fig. 1 1 a diagrammatical view of the thread needle and loops of fabric to be united on the impaling pins, with the development of the actuating cam, and showing the successive relative movements imparted to the needle arm and thread needle in carrying the thread needle laterally during its reciprocatory movements in the loops to correspond with the movements of the latter as carried by the impaling pin and for imparting to the needle arm and thread needle a step over movement laterally with respect to the impaling pins at the conclusion of the working stroke and to cause the thread needle to enter with its point at the base portion of the next successive impaling pin;

Fig. 15 an enlarged horizontal sectional view of the universal connection or joint between the needle arm and the needle arm actuating link.

Similar numerals of reference designate like parts throughout all of the figures of the drawings.

The improved sectional work-holder or carrier as applied to a sewing machine comprises a suitable support provided with a guide or race-way for the sections of the work-holder, together with suitable feeding means for advancing or feeding the sections of the work-holder or carrier to the sewing mechanism, and suitable sewing mechanism in cooperative relation to the carrier and its feeding mechanism, together with means for readily inserting and removing the workholder or carrier sections independently of the carrier feeding mechanism and without in any way disturbing the sewing mechanism.

It will be obvious and should be understood that the improved sectional work-holder or carrier for receiving and carrying the fabric to the sewing mechanism may be incorporated in sewing machines of varying forms and type, as for example,--the support may be provided with a guide or raceway of straight form instead of circular as disclosed in the present embodiment of the invention.

For the purpose of illustration the improved sectional work-holder or carrier is applied to a sewing machine of the dial looper type comprising a stationary support or dial plate 1, removably secured upon a shaft 2, depending from a head 3, of an overhanging arm 3, terminating in a bed plate .3", adapted to be bolted or secured to a suitable support for securing the machine in proper working position. Upon reference to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the dial plate 1 is keyed upon the pendant bar or stub shaft 2 and a nut 52 threaded on a threaded extension 2 of the shaft 2.

The dial plate or support 1 is provided near its outer periphery with a guide or raceway l said dial plate, in the present instance, being provided with a ring l, the outer periphery of which overhangs the inner periphery of the guide-way 1 and the sectional work-holder or ring member carrying the impaling pins traveling therein.

The work-holder or carrier, in the present instance, is of ring-shape fitted in and guided by the race-way 1 and comprises a series or plurality of ring sections or segments 5, provided with the usual series of peripheral outwardly and horizontally extending impaling pins 6, the latter being secured in the usual manner by means of the clamping segments 5.

As a means of readily inserting and removing the work-holder or ring sections 5 independently of the work-holder or ring actuating or feeding mechanism and independently of the sewing mechanism and the actuating mechanism therefor, a portion of the overhanging ring member 4 is cut away as at 4& (see Fig. 1), and as a means of holding the sections or segments 5 in proper position and feeding the same about the dial plate, a retatably mounted gear ring 7, is provided (see Fig. 7), said gear ring being provided on its inner periphery with a plurality of gear teeth 7, meshing with a pinion 8, carried at the lower end of a vertical shaft 8 in the dial plate 1. As a means of providing a suitable interlocking connection between the segments of the carrier or worl-:holder and the feeding ring 7 and its connections and at the same time readily permitting of the insertion or removal of the ring segments, the latter are provided, in the present instance, about their inner periphery with gear teeth 5 interlocking with similarly shaped gear teeth 7 on the,outer periphery of the gear ring 7. In the construction shown in Fig. 7 it will be apparent that as the pinion 8 is rotated through the driving connections, hereinafter referred to, the interconnected sections 5 and ring 7 will be si1nultaneuusly dri on e ated, the lower off-set bearing portions of the sect-ions or segments 5 being siidably mounted in the guide-way 1 and being guided by the latter.

if desired, however, the separate gear ring 7 may be dispensed with through a modified construction shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings and in which instance a flanged extension portion 9 may take the place of the ring said extension 9 being formed as a part of a separate dial ring support 9 adapted to rotate about the outer periphery of the dial plate 1 and being provided with an annular recess 9 on its top to receive the bearing portions of the ring sections or segments 5 and to interlock with the latter in holding the same in proper position. In such instance, the inner periphery or extension 9 of the rotatable ring is provided with gear teeth 9 meshing directly with the pinion 8 and the outer periphery l of the dial plate forms in effect the guide or race-way for the separate dial ring support 9.

As a means of conveniently supporting the ring sections or segments 5 in position for re ceiving the adjacent edges or loops of fabric to be united and as such loops are placed over the pins by an operator, a stand or pedestal 10 may be provided. said stand 10 being provided with an adjustable head 11, having a recess 11 of dimensions corresponding to the lower or inset bearing portion of the rings or segments and to receive and interlock with the latter in holding the same in position, as indicated most clearly in Fig. 11 of the drawings. In this manner, if desired, a number of worlnholder or carrier sections 5 may be filled or prepared with the fabric to be united, this being somewhat more conveniently carried out where the loops of fabric have to be placed over the impaling pins while the dial ring of the machine is in mot-ion as is now the present practice.

As a means of imparting a continuously and uniformly revolving or feeding movement to the work-holder or carrier consisting, in the present instance, of the ring sections and impaling pins 6, the shaft 8 is mounted in a bearing member 12 (see Fig. 7) secured, in the present instance, on the top of the dial plate 1 by means of an attaching element or screw 12", said bearing 12, in the present instance, being provided with a cup shaped housing member 12 and a removable cover 12. The housing members 12 and 12 enclose a horizontal gear 13 on the shaft 8, said gear 13 meshing with a worm 14 keyed on a shaft 15. In the present instance, the outer end of the shaft 15 is mounted in bearing 16, forming a part of a bracket 16 slidably and adjustably mounted on the dial plate 1 by means of a screw 1'7 passing through a guide slot 16 in the bracket. By this arrangement, should itbe desired to throw the worm out of gear with the gear 13 the bearing bracket and outer end of the shaft may be moved over to bring them out of engagement.

The shaft 15 is connected to a second shaft 18, by means of a universal coupling member 19, the second shaft 13 being mounted in suitable bearing brackets 20, and being provided with a spiral gear 21, meshing with a second spiral gear 22, carried by the main driving shaft 23. The main driving shaft 23 extends through the base portion of the overhanging arm 3 and has its ends supported in bearing brackets 24. he main driving shaft 23 adapted to receive its motion through a pulley 25, provided with a belting communicating with a suitable source of power. The pulley 25 is loosely mounted on the shaft 23 and may be thrown into and out of engagen'ient n 'th the shaft by means a clutch member 26, adapted to be shifted by means of a hinged clutch shift member 2?, having the rollers 27 extending into the groove portion 26 of the clutch 26 (see Fig. 6), said clutch 26 being adapted to be operated by means of a shift lever 28, extending forwardly along the overluiuging arm 3 beheld in its respective positions by means of a spring resisted plunger stud 29 see if g. 1) operating in the upper member of a guide bracket 29 carried on the arm 3.

Referring now to the inuaroved sewing or looping mechanism it will be seen that as in the/Davis and W right patents hcreinbefore referred to the curved thread needle 39 is carried by and reciprocated over and above each of the impaling pins by means of an oscillatory needle arm 31, carried upon. a bearing shaft or stem 32, extending from the side of the overhanging supporting arm 3 of the machine.

As a means of reciprocating or oscillating the needle arm 31 and the thread needle 39 carried thereby in the sewing operation, the needle arm is connected to a link 33, by means of a suitable universal joint or connection hereinafter referred to, said link 33 being connected to a pair of lugs 34 of an adjustable connection 3% by means of a vertical bearing pin or element 34* so that as the needle arm and thread needle are moved laterally, as hereinafter referred to, the requisite lateral or horizontal movement will be permitted to the connecting link during the reciprocation of the latter through the medium of the pitman arm 35, carried by an eccentric member 36, on the main driving shaft 23. The bearing link or connection 341 may be attached to and detached from the pitman arm 35 and be secured by a lock nut 34- which also affords means for adjusting the connection between the eccentric member and the thread needle and the needle arm. ing suitable universal connection or joint between the needle arm 31 and the end of the link 33, the latter may be provided with a ball bearing member 33, extending into a socket recess 37, of a cylindrical shaped bearing member or block 37 (see Fig. 15) secured to one side of the needle arm 31, said bearing member 37 being provided with a threaded opening at one side to receive and contain a threaded screw member 37 having a concave bearing portion 37, forming a part of the socket in the member 37 and affording means for attaching and detaching the ball with respect to the socket,

As a means of conveniently attaching the thread needle 30 to and detaching the same from the needle arm 31, and particularly as a means of readily adjusting the relative position of the curved thread needle with respect to the grooves 6 of the impaling pins 6 (see Fig. 1 1) and the loops 33 of fabric to be united as carried by said impaling pins, a circumferentially movable bolt 39 is provided, said bolt 39 extending through an opening 31 in the lower end of the needle arm (see Figs. 4 and 5) and being provided with a transverse opening 40 to receive and carry the shank of the thread needle 30. The base of the thread needle is adapted to be clamped and interlocked with an adjusting arm 10 provided with a recess in registry with hole 10 to receive the needle and the parts are adapted to be clamped by means of a nut 39 on the end of the bolt 39. The upper end of the rocker arm 40 is provided with a pin 40", extending into an opening 31 and as a means of adjusting or rocking the rocker arm 10 and consequently moving the bolt 39, together with the needle carried thereby, an ad justing screw 11 is mounted in the arm 31, said screw 41 being provided with an annular groove or recess 41 receiving the end of the projection or pin 10 so that the latter, to-

As a means of providgether with the arm to which it is attached may be moved through the adjustment of the screw by means of the knurled head 41. By reason of the fact that the needle extends through bolt 39 and is interlocked with the arm 40, said arm is fixed with respect to said bolt. Consequently, movement of arm 40 by screw 41 will rotate bolt 39, whereby needle 30 may be adjusted to any desired position around the aXis of rotation of bolt 39.

The needle arm 31 terminates at its top in branches 31, and the latter are provided with bearing heads 31, carried on the bearing shaft or stem 32, and said bearing heads 31 are adapted to be moved longitudinally on the bearing shaft 32, whereby said needle arm 31 and the thread needle 30 may be moved laterally during the reciprocation thereof by the means to be now described.

As a means of carrying the thread needle laterally (in the present instance from left to right) while the needle is being recipro cated in the loops 38, to be united on the impaling pins 6 (see Fig. 14) and to correspond with the feeding movement imparted by the dial ring and its feeding mechanism, and particularly as a means of imparting a step over lateral movement to the needle :1 ill and needle at the conclusion of the working stroke or when the needle is fully retracted (see third and fourth positions in 14) to cause the point of the thread needle to move (in the present instance from right to left) to meet the next succeeding impaling pin being fed so that the point of the thread needle will register with and enter the groove of such next impaling pin being fed, a hearing or guide block 42 (see Figs. 1 and 3) is interposed between the heads 31 of the needle arm and is slidably mounted on the bearing shaft 32. The guide block 42 is provided at its top with a recess 4%, to receive a similarly shaped bearing head 43, connected to a bolt or shank member 43 the parts 43 and 43 being of substantially inverted T-shape in form and the bearing bolt 43 being surrounded with a spacing washer 43". lhe sleeve or ferrule portion of the member 43 is surrounded by a bearing block 44, and a second washer 44 is mounted upon the sleeve por tion of the member 43, and the head of the bolt 43 is adapted to be adjusted laterally in the recess 42 by means of a nut 43, it being obvious that the spacing or sleeve portion of the member 43 will prevent the flanged portion of the member 43 and the second washer 44 from binding upon the movable block 44.

As a means of actuating the guide block 42, together with the needle arm and thread needle in synchronous relation to the sewing mechanism and the constantly rotating ring of impaling pins, a lever 45, is provided, said lever being slidably and adjustably secured intermediate its ends to a pivot bolt 46, ex-

tending vertically through a bearing opening in an arm 47, slidably and adj ustably connected to the side of the overhanging arm 3 of the machine. The bolt 46 is provided with flattened sides 46, to receive and interlock with the sides of the hmgitudinal slot 45 in the lever and the sides 46 terminate in an integral bearing washer 45 resting on the top of the arm 47 so that when the washer 45 is drawn down by the nut 45 the slotted portion of the lever is clamped to the sliding head of the pivot bolt, said bolt being removably mounted in the end of the bearing arm by means of a nut 45 and washer 45 beneath the bearing head or end of the arm 47. As a means of reciprocating or oscillating the lever 45, tne latter is provided at one end with a guide roller 48, extending downwardly and secured by means of a flanged head 49, having a reduced shank or bolt 49, extending through an opening in an end of the lever and secured by means of a nut 49". The pendant guide roller 48 is adapted to be guided in a ally inclined cam or guide slot 50, of a at ble cam body or wheel 50, keyed 0r non-rotatably secured upon the ft 23. The inclination of the com or g slid; 50 and the position of the rotatable member or cam 50, are such with respect to the reative positions of the thread needle and the relation of the latter to the la ps to be united on the impaling pin that the connected parts will carry the thread needle laterally while being reciprocated in the loops to be united to correspond with the feeding movement imparted to the latter by the ring of impaling pins, as indicated most clearly in the first, second and third positions set forth diagrammatically in Fig. 14 of the drawings. As a means of imparting relative ly abrupt or quick step over lateral movement to the needle arm and needle at the conclusion of the working stroke or when the needle is fully retracted, as indicated in Fi 1 and 2 of the drawings, and to cause the thread needle to move over from the full line to the dotted line position shown in the fourth position indicated in 14 of the drawin s to meet the position of the next succeeding impaling pin and whereby the point of the thread needle upon its initial forward movement will enter the base portion of the groove of the next succeeding impalin pin heir fed, the cam groove or si t 50" is provided wit a h an abruptly curved poi ion 50 which will impart such step over lateral movement to the connected parts and the thread needle carrying the latter to the fourth position indicated.

As a means of usting the throw of the guide block 42 and the movements imparted to the needle arm 31 and thread. needle 30 to meet rings of impaling pins having a varying number of such pins to the inch, the bearing arm 47 is adjustable longitudinally of the arm 3 and the lever 45 to correspondingly change the fulcrum point of the lever by being provided with a base bracket 47 having an adjusting slot 47 through which passes a set screw or cap bolt 45?, the rear end the base bracket 4'? being provided with a guide lug extending into and interlocking with the guide slot 1-7 at the side of the arm 3. It will be obvious that by loosening the nut on the top of the pivot bolt 46 and the cap screw or bolt 47 the bracket 17 may be readily moved longitudinally, thereby changing the pivot point of the lever to get any desired adjustment with respect to the lateral movement imparted to the needle arm and thread needle.

In the present instance, the machine shown for the purpose of illustration only is provided with a stitch. finger 51, pivotally mounted in a supporting bracket 52 at one side of the ring of impaling pins by means of a pivoted block 53, the free end of the finger being adapted to ride upon a plurality of impaling pins when the latter are empty and to ride or travel upon a plurality of the adjacent pairs of loops of fabric to be united on the i111 paling pins as the loops are carried under the tongue portion of the stitch finger by the feeding movement of the dial ring. As in the former Davis and Wright patents re ierred to, the free working end of the stitch finger held down by the action of a spring 54:, extending from the bracket 52 and engaging the opposite end of said finger, the curved thread needle 30 being adapted to pass beneath the stitch finger during its reciprocatory move ments through the loops of fabric to be united and over and above the subjacent impaling pins carrying such loops.

As in the former Wright patent referred to, the machine is provided with a thread carrying looper 55, having a looper hook or head 55, so that when the looper 55 is in its down position, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing, a loop is formed to receive the thread needle and to be taken up by the latter as the thread needle advances.

As the construction and operation of the sewing and looping mechanism in this case corresponds with that disclosed and claimed in the former Davis and Wright patents referred to and particularly since such details form no specific part of the present applica tion, the same need not be described in detail.

As in the former \Vright patent, the looper hook is mounted on a curved shank carried in a rotatably mounted stub shaft 56, mounted in a supporting block or member 57*, said block 57 being carried on a bracket 57, mounted on the dial plate or support 1 and secured by screws 57". As in said former Wright patent, the requisite to and fro movement in a substantially semi-circular path is imparted to the looping hook in synchronous relation to the thread needle by means of a curved guide slot 58 in a reciprocatory slide member or plate 58 mounted in the block 57 a and given its movements through the medium of a connecting link 59, connected at one end of the reciprocatory plate 58 by means of a suitable connection 59 and at the other end connected to an adj ustable link 59, connected to a yoke 60, and secured by means of a lock nut 59 said yoke 60 extending over an eccentric block or head 61, mounted on the shaft 23.

This is a continuation of the application of Paxton, Mulligan, et al., Serial No. 117,049, filed June 19, 1926, which is a division of an application of Paxton, l\ Iulligan, et al., Serial No. 720,392, filed June 16, 1924.

What I claim is:

1. In a machine of the character described, a needle arm provided with a rocker pivotally secured thereto, a thread needle therein, and an adjusting device connected to said rocker for moving said rocker on its pivoted center and said thread needle in varying relative positions.

2. In a machine of the character described, a reciprocatory needle arm having a thread needle carrying member pivotally secured thereon, and means on said arm for both moving and securing said needle carrying member in variable adjusted positions about its pivotal center.

3. In a looping machine, a reciprocatory needle arm and thread needle, means pivotally a 'tached to said arm for connecting said, thread needle to the needle arm, and means COIL cctcd to said pivoted means for changing the relative inclination of said thread needle through said needle connecting means.

4. In a machine of the class described, a needle arm provided with a thread needle carrying and clamping member including a rocker, said rocker being pivotally attached to said arm, and means on said needle arm connected to the rocker for moving and securing said rocker and thread needle in varying adjusted posit-ions.

5. In a machine of the character described, a reciprocatory needle arm carrying a curved thread needle, means pivotally secured to said arm for connecting the needle to the needle arm, and means carried by said needle arm and connected to said pivoted means for adjusting the inclination of said curved thread needle.

6. In a machine of the character described, a reciprocatory needle arm carrying a thread needle, means pivotally attached to said arm for detachably connecting the needle to the needle arm, and means connected to said pivoted. means for adjusting the angle of said thread needle through said needle connecting means.

7. In a looping machine, a reciprocatory needle arm, a curved thread needle, means pivotally secured to said arm for detachably connecting said curved thread needle to said needle arm, and means carried by said needle arm and connected to said pivoted means for changing the inclination of said curved thread needle to said needle arm.

8. In a machine of the character described, a reciprocatory needle arm including a thread needle and means pivotally secured to said arm for detachably securing and clamping the needle and means on said needle arm and connected to said pivoted means for moving and adjusting said thread needle clamping and securing means whereby said thread needle may be adjusted and held in any desired relative position.

9. In a machine of the character described, a reciprocatory needle arm provided With a transverse rotatable member journaled in and projecting from one side of said needle arm, a thread needle carried by the projecting portion of said rotatable member and fitted against said needle arm, means for clamping said rotatable member and needle against said arm and means for rotatably adjusting said rotatable member in its bearing in the needle arm to change the relative inclination of said thread needle and position it in any one of a plurality of Working positions.

10. In a machine of the character described, a reciprocatory needle arm provided with a relatively movable member having a transverse opening at one side of said needle arm, a thread needle extending through said opening and abutting against one side of said needle arm, a rocker on said relatively movable member having a recess interlocking with said thread needle, means for clamping said rocker and needle, and means for moving and adjusting said rocker to change the relative inclination of said thread needle.

JAMES A. MULLIGAN. 

